Peter Jarvis is a percussionist, conductor, drummer, composer, educator, copyist and print music editor. As a freelance musician he has performed as a soloist, chamber player and conductor with many highly distinguished ensembles in the United States and abroad; primarily in New York in Ne w Jersey.

As conductor he has appeared with the Saint Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, The New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, and several other groups. He has appeared as guest conductor on the San Francisco Symphony’s New and Unusual Music Series. The New York Times has said about Jarvis`s conducting: ". . . [He] did full justice to its rhythmic complexities; Mr. Jarvis and his forces richly deserved the standing ovation they received."
As copyist he has worked on the music of Leonard Bernstein, Milton Babbitt, Elliott Carter, Ned Rorem, George Walker and several dozen other American and International composers. His work is in the catalog of many major music publishers, including CF Peters, Boosey and Hawks, Theodore Presser, Shirmers, etc.

Jarvis teaches music at Connecticut College and William Paterson University, his teaching responsibilities include academic classes, percussion lessons, coaching/conducting chamber music directing New Music Concerts and the New Music Series at William Paterson University where he is Director of New Music.

His compositions are published by Calabrese Brothers Music, LLC and he is a member of BMI.

Drumming for Milton Opus 13 was completed in August of 2010 and is dedicated with profound respect to Milton Babbitt. Thank you Milton for all you have done for music, composers and musicians. We owe you a debt which cannot be paid. - Peter Jarvis

Drumming for Milton was premiered by Paul Carrol on March 7, 2011 at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ USA on the New Music Series directed by Peter Jarvis.

Drumming for Milton has been recorded by Paul Carroll and will be released in July of 2011 on Composers Concordance Records, distributed by NAXOS - Peter Jarvis and Friends volume 1.

Drumming for Milton is suitable for advanced (or adventurous) students and professionals.

Optional Temple Blocks:
- Temple blocks may be substituted for the strokes on the rims of the drums. If this option is chosen, perhaps setting the blocks up in front of the mounted toms will accommodate the sticking issues. The option of temple blocks might create a more convenient means of balancing the “x” noteheads of the drums with the drums themselves as well as produce a fuller sound.

Beaters:
- Drum sticks

Performance Notes:
- When either the crash or splash cymbal is marked “tip of stick,” e.g. mm. 19 and 62, the cymbal is to be played as one would traditionally play a ride cymbal - striking the top of the cymbal with the tip of the stick. When either the crash or splash cymbal is marked “ord.,” e.g. mm. 22 and 67, the cymbal is to be played in the traditional manner – striking the edge of the cymbal with the shaft of the stick.

- When the ride cymbal is marked “crash the ride cym.,” e.g., m. 28, it is to be played as one would traditionally play a crash cymbal – striking the edge of the cymbal with the shaft of the stick. When the ride cymbal is marked “ord.,” e.g. m. 22, it is to be played in the traditional manner – striking the top of the cymbal with the tip of the stick. The indication for “ord.,” for the ride cymbal, e.g. m. 22, may also indicate returning to the standard striking manner after having played on the bell.

- The preferred sound for the ride cymbal “bell” notes is produced by striking the bell with the shaft of the stick, creating a fuller sound than is created by striking the bell with the tip of the stick.

- It is understood that choking the splash cymbal is at times perhaps logistically impractical. Therefore “choke (possible)” is indicated in mm. 42-44. If in these or other bars there is not enough time to negotiate the choking of the cymbal, it is perfectly OK to let the cymbal ring. In most cases, e.g. mm. 9 and 12, there is likely time enough to manage the chokes.

- The “x” noteheads for the drums are to be played on the rim of the indicated drum or substituted for with the appropriate temple block.

- R.S. – Rim shot
- A “z” through the stem of a note indicates a roll.